UAB professor pays homage to friendship in new book

Proceeds from the book will be donated to the Selma-Dallas County Public Library.

Kerry Madden, assistant professor of English in the College of Arts and Sciences, has penned a children’s book that chronicles the friendship of an unlikely pair of Alabama artists.

“Nothing Fancy About Kathryn and Charlie,” published by Alabama-based Mockingbird Publishing, is the tale of the real-life friendship between the late Kathryn Tucker Windham – a renowned Alabama journalist, author, and storyteller – and the self-taught folk artist Tin Man Charlie Lucas. Both love a good tomato sandwich, treasure hunting and comb playing on the lawn. Madden’s daughter, Lucy, illustrated the book.

A book signing will take place on Friday, April 19, from 4-6 p.m. at Alabama Booksmith located at 2626 19th Place South, Homewood. Proceeds from the book will be donated to Kathryn’s beloved Selma-Dallas County Public Library.